Breech plug for muzzleloading rifle

ABSTRACT

A breech plug having a cylindrical body with a nipple on one end for receipt of a percussion element, and a stem on the other end with a length of constant uniform diameter, and a flash bore that extends longitudinally through the nipple, cylindrical body, and the stem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a breech plug and more particularly to a breech plug with an outwardly extending ignition stem.

Breech plugs are well-known within the art for use with muzzleloading firearms. Generally, breech plugs are threadably received within the breech end of the barrel and have a nipple for receiving a percussion element. When struck, the explosive material within the percussion element is compressed between the shell of the percussion element and the nipple's anvil igniting a primary flash that is directed through a flash chamber in the breech plug to a flash port where the primary flash ignites a powder charge or propellant.

Much effort has been directed to improving the ignition of the firearm through directing and controlling the primary flash. Advancements in the prior art have taught that ignition characteristics are improved if the primary flash occurs in a relatively large diameter flash chamber and is then focused into a small diameter flash port. One problem with these conventional breech plugs is that the plug limits the area of exposure at the base of the propellant that is exposed to the primary flash during ignition. This results in slower ignition, velocity and lock time, and the propellant burns unevenly within the barrel which also affects performance.

Stems have been used in the past to ignite the propellant further within the breech end of the barrel. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 21,802 by Schenkl. These stems tend to limit the amount of propellant that surrounds them and do not adjust the diameter of the flash chamber and flash port to increase velocity.

It is therefore a general objective of the present invention to provide an improved breech plug for a muzzleloading rifle.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a breech plug that improves the ignition of the propellant.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a breech plug that provides a more even burn of the propellant within the barrel.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a breech plug that causes faster ignition, greater velocity, and increased lock time.

These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A breech plug for use with a muzzleloading firearm includes a nipple for receipt of a percussion element, a center cylindrical body adapted to be received within the breech end of the barrel of a muzzleloading loading firearm, a stem with a length and a constant uniform diameter, and a flash bore extending longitudinally through the nipple, cylindrical body and stem. The stem and the nipple are attached coaxially and longitudinally to opposite ends of the cylindrical body. The stem is adapted to fit within the barrel of the muzzleloading firearm such that a chamber is created between the stem, the cylindrical body, and the barrel. Additionally, the stem is adapted such that in use propellant powder may reside within the chamber around the stem and also beyond the distal end of the stem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the breech plug of the present invention threadably mounted in the breech end of the barrel of a muzzleloading firearm.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the breech plug of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, the present invention is described in reference to a muzzleloading firearm by example only. It is contemplated that the improved breech plug can also be used in other firearms and apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a breech plug, generally indicated by the reference number 10, which is adapted for use with a muzzleloading firearm. The breech plug 10 has a generally cylindrical body 12 with external threads 14 adapted to threadably attach to a barrel 16 with a breech end 18, an axial bore 20, and internal threads 22. FIG. 1. The cylinder body 12 of breech plug 10 has a first or distal end 24 and a second or breech end 26. The first end 24 has an attached nipple 28 extending outwardly from the first end 24. The nipple 28 may be attached in any conventional manner to the body 12 including molded thereto. The nipple 28 is generally cylindrical in shape and is adapted to receive a percussion element 30 thereupon.

The second end 26 has an attached stem 32 that is of generally uniform diameter and is coaxial to the cylindrical body 12. The stem 32 may be attached in any conventional manner to the body 12 including molded thereto. The stem 32 has a length and an outside diameter that is less than the inner diameter 33 of the axial bore 20 of the barrel 16 such that an open generally cylindrical cavity 34 is formed as defined on a first side by the inner diameter 33 of the bore 20, on a second side by the outside diameter of the stem 32, and on a bottom end 36 as defined by the second end 26 of the cylindrical body 12 abutting the inside diameter of the bore 20 and the outside diameter of the stem 32. Where the breech plug of the present invention is adapted for use within a conventional muzzleloading rifle, the axial length of the stem 32 is preferred to be 3.2 cm or 1¼ inches.

The nipple 28, the cylindrical body 12, and the stem 32 are coaxial to each other and have a coaxial flash bore 38 of a certain diameter that runs therethrough. The flash bore 38 may be of generally constant diameter. Preferably, the flash bore 38 will be of a larger diameter at the nipple 28 and through the first end 24 and into the cylindrical body 12 and will transition to a smaller diameter within the stem 32. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the larger diameter 40 of the flash bore 38 with a transition portion 42 to a smaller diameter 44 within the stem 32, all longitudinal and coaxial within the breech plug 10.

In use, the breech plug 10 is operably connected to the barrel 16 of a muzzleloading firearm by threadably attaching the plug within the breech end 18, with the stem 32 residing within the barrel 16 and the nipple 28 residing outside the barrel 16.

A muzzleloading firearm is conventionally loaded by inserting propellant powder 46 and a ball 48 into the barrel 16 and ramming the powder 46 and ball 48 into the barrel 16 and against the breech plug 10. In use, the breech plug of the present invention will permit powder to reside both within the cavity 34 and beyond the end of the stem 32, with the ball 48 residing within the barrel 16 with a portion of powder 46 located between the ball 48 and the stem 32.

The muzzleloading firearm is further prepared by accessing the nipple 28 of the breech plug and applying a percussion element 30 thereto. Finally, the firearm is prepared for firing by cocking a firing pin, not shown, or a hammer element, not shown.

Once the firearm is prepared, it is fired in a conventional manner by pulling a trigger, not shown, thereby causing a firing pin, not shown, to strike the percussion element 30. The struck percussion element 30 produces a flame and hot gases, which travel through the flash bore 38 exiting the stem 32 and into the powder 46, thereby igniting the powder 46. Once ignited, the powder 46 will burn causing rapid expansion of hot gases that propel the ball 48 out of the barrel 12.

A conventional breech plug does not have a stem 32 and will ignite the powder at or near the end of the powder charge, which inefficiently burns the expanding and moving powder as the bullet is compelled down the barrel. In contrast, the breech plug of the present invention ignites the powder 46 in a central location or forward position which causes the powder 46 to burn forward toward the ball 48, while simultaneously burning rearward toward the base of the cylindrical cavity 34. Expansion from the ignited powder produce equal and opposite forces to those which propel the ball 48 down the barrel 16 to also compress against the powder 46 that resides within the cylindrical cavity 34. The result is that the powder 26 burns in two opposite directions simultaneously, thereby compressing and efficiently burning the powder 46 within the barrel 16.

Accordingly, as can be seen from the preceding disclosure, the breech plug meets its objectives by providing a powder burn that results in greater efficiency, muzzle velocity, consistency of firing, and resulting greater accuracy.

The foregoing description is set forth in a detailed manner, but it is to be understood that various modifications of detail, rearrangement, and multiplication of parts might be resorted to without departing from its spirit, essence, or scope. 

1. A breech plug for use in a muzzleloading firearm with a barrel having a breech end, comprising: a generally cylindrical body with a first end and a second end to be received within the breech end of the barrel; a nipple extending outwardly from the first end of the body; a non threaded stem of generally uniform diameter extending outwardly from the second end of the body and into the breech end of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel; and a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion in the stem.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions.
 5. A muzzleloading firearm with an elongated hollow barrel having a breech at one end, comprising: a breech plug in the breech comprised of a generally cylindrical body with forward and rearward ends; a nipple extending outwardly from the rearward end of the body; a stem of generally uniform diameter extending forwardly from the forward end of the body, and having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel; a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem; and wherein another member is not located between the diameter of the stem and the barrel in the cavity.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body.
 7. The device of claim 5 wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion at a forward end of the stem.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions.
 9. A breech plug for use in a muzzleloading firearm with a barrel having a breech end, comprising: a generally cylindrical body with a first end and a second end to be received within the breech end of the barrel; a nipple extending outwardly from the first end of the body; a non threaded stem of uniform diameter extending outwardly from the second end of the body and into the breech end of the barrel to form a cavity between the diameter of the stem and the barrel; a bore extending longitudinally through the body from the nipple and through the stem; said bore extending through the stem to form a single opening centrally located at the second end of the body; and wherein another member is not located between the diameter of the stem and the barrel in the cavity.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the second end of the body has a shoulder perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body.
 11. The device of claim 9 wherein the bore has a generally uniform diameter in the nipple and the body and terminating in a reduced diameter portion in the stem.
 12. The device of claim 9 wherein the bore has a first portion of constant diameter, a second portion of smaller diameter at an end of the stem, and a tapered transition portion connecting the first and second portions.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the breech plug is made of a single piece.
 14. The device of claim 1 wherein the generally cylindrical body has external threads.
 15. The device of claim 1 wherein the nipple extends past all other portions of the breech plug.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein the nipple extends past the breech end of the barrel.
 17. The device of claim 1 wherein the cavity is formed to receive a substantial portion of propellant powder. 